Rory McIlroy ‘reluctant’ to return to the USA ahead of Ryder Cup, says golf reporter
Rory McIlroy is reluctant to return to America after spending a month in the UK for The Open Championship, according to a golf reporter.
McIlroy played in The Open Championship at his home course, Royal Portrush, to round off the major season. 2025 saw McIlroy complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters, and he returned home a hero.
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He now heads back to America for the Ryder Cup in New York, as Europe look to double down on their humiliation of Team USA in Rome. But Jamie Weir said that after speaking to McIlroy, he is reluctant to go back.
Rory McIlroy ‘reluctant’ to return to America after hometown reception
Five-time major winner McIlroy said he wanted to hide from the stresses of the PGA Tour before the Genesis Scottish Open. He was snappy with the media after winning the Masters, but appeared to be far happier after his return to Europe.
That said, Weir said McIlroy was not pleased to be heading back stateside. On the Sky Sports Golf podcast, he said, “Speaking to Rory, he’s really endured being back this side of the pond for a few weeks.
“The Open Championship, okay he might not have lifted the Claret Jug, but just feeling the love and what he means to the people of Northern Ireland was a massive, massive feather in his cap.
“I think he’s really enjoyed being over here and he’s slightly reluctant to get back to the States. I think that goes for quite a few European golfers.”
McIlroy said he spoke to Englishman Justin Rose about how happy he was to be back in Europe on the journey to the Scottish Open. He’ll be back for the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship in early September, but his thoughts are on the Ryder Cup.
Weir continued, “For Rory, it’s all about trying to conserve his energy because the big one circled in red on the calendar for Rory is Bethpage at the end of September. That is the number one goal: win a Ryder Cup on U.S. soil.”
Rory McIlroy looks to complete US humiliation at the Ryder Cup
McIlroy turned his attention to the Ryder Cup immediately after The Open. As Team USA look to avenge their humiliation in Rome, Europe and McIlroy hope to pile on their misery in front of their home fans.
The Americans are faced with a complex selection process, as captain Keegan Bradley decides whether to pick himself to become the first playing captain since 1963. It’s less complicated for Europe, who can focus on the task at hand.
McIlroy played when Europe last won in America. It was “The Miracle at Medinah”, where Europe staged one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history, rallying from a 10–6 deficit on the final day with a dominant singles performance.
McIlroy was involved in final-day drama. He arrived just in time for his singles match after confusion about his tee time, but still defeated Bradley.
Last time the Ryder Cup was in New York, Europe pulled off another comeback win. A victory for Europe could plunge the Americans into crisis, and that’s exactly what McIlroy plans to do.
